Epileptic Seizures. Clinical and Electrographic Features, Diagnosis and Treatment.

Abstract

Physicians examining newborn infants should no longer dread the discovery of unusual skin problems. Practical dermatologic help is now available in this highly readable text, the first in English dealing exclusively with neonatal skin. It particularly encourages pediatricians to carefully examine the skin of newborns for signs of prematurity, infection, inherited disease, and birth trauma. Detection of premature skin with its poor vasomotor tone, inability to sweat, and reduced fat pad insulation signals danger of thermal instability and the need for controlled environmental temperature. Increased percutaneous absorption in such skin adds additional risk from bathing with toxic substances such as hexachlorophene or boric acid. Increased desquamation occurs with prolonged gestation of 40 to 42 weeks and with dysmaturity from prenatal anoxia. Dysmature skin also demonstrates meconium staining and long hair and nails. Nursery personnel should readily recognize the common, transient, benign skin lesions described in this book, as concerned mothers will appreciate intelligible explanations for milia, miliaria, salmon patches, mongolian spots, erythema toxicum neonatorum, cutis marmorata, and neonatal acne. Detailed information is also given for many severe skin dis¬ eases, which are organized by chap¬ ters into morphologically similar groups such as vesiculobullous erup¬ tions, scaling disorders, and vascular malformations. Special attention is given to pigmentary disorders indica¬ tive of genetic diseases like neurofibromatosis and tuberous sclerosis. The dermatologie novice will bene¬ fit greatly from chapters on basic ter¬ minology, diagnostic technique, and topical therapy. Also helpful are the plentiful references, current to 1972, and numerous tables which consoli¬ date key facts, such as causes of pur¬ pura, signs of congenital syphilis, and types of ichthyosis. Photographs are abundant, with 62 in color, but are of